Pressing Confrontations

10. Bernard Hopkins vs Winky Wright

9. Fernando Vargas vs Ricardo Mayorga

Anytime you have a fight whose promotional name is “The Brawl” – scuffles at promotional events in the lead up to the bout will happen. After making a comment about Vargas’ wife Mayorga took a swing & then all hell broke out.

8. James Toney vs John Ruiz

This has to rank as John Ruiz’s most entertaining fight…

7. Lennoz Lewis vs Hasim Rahman Chat-show Brawl

6. Australia: Madness Down Under (*must see)

5. Riddick Bowe vs Larry Donald

Slaps may be all the rage in press conferences at the minute but here’s a vintage brawl from the 1990’s where Bowe landed not one but a two punch combination flush on Larry Donald.

4. David Haye vs Dereck Chisora

3. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson

On January 22, 2002 a press conference was held in New York to publicise the pending superfight. Mike Tyson came on stage & stared in the direction of where Lewis was to appear. As soon as Lewis appeared, Tyson quickly walked toward him. One of Lewis’ bodyguards attempted to block Tyson’s access to Lewis before Tyson threw a left hook in the bodyguard’s direction. The two rolled on the floor with members from both camps becoming entangled in the fracas.

During the ensuing melee WBC president José Sulaimán claimed to be knocked out. He would later file a multi-million dollar lawsuit against both Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. Sulaiman claimed he was spat on and that Tyson threatened to kill him. Tyson later admitted to biting Lewis’ leg and was forced to pay him US$335,000 in compensation.

Tyson then issued a lengthy obscenity filled tirade towards journalist Mark Malinowski, who had suggested that Tyson belonged in a straitjacket. Tyson vowed to initiate Malinowski to the reality of prison romance.

The brawl was named The Ring magazine Event of the Year for 2002.

2. Larry Holmes vs Trevor Berbick

Not a press conference & not a weigh in but this car park confrontation (after what looked like a public symposium on immigration & the legalization of prostitution) is just too extraordinary to not merit a mention in any discussion on the history of boxing brawls & bust ups.

1. Bernard Hopkins vs Tito Trinidad

Slapping Vitali Klitschko upset two huge Ukranian brothers & the sensibilities of middle class Germany – what Bernard Hopkins did to the Puerto Rican flag – in Puerto Rico – upset millions from one of boxing’s most fanatical nations.